Dog training equipment



March 18, 1958 J, A, ZALOVCIK 2,827,116

DOG TRAINING EQUIPMENT Filed Oct. 50, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR AZALOW/K ATTORNEYS March 18, 1958 J. A. ZALOVCIK 2,827,116

DOG TRAINING EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 30, 1953 INVENTOR JOHN zAww/K ATTORNEYS United States PatentO DOG TRAINING EQUIPMENT John A. Zalovcik, Hampton, Va.

Application October 30, 1953, Serial No. 389,310

3 Claims. (Cl. 160351) The present invention relates to dog training equipment and more particularly to portable apparatus which is readily convertible into any one of several devices utilized in demonstrating the reactions of dogs to various commands and exercises.

The American Kennel Club, as the governing body has prescribed special regulations for dogs competing in obedience trials. It will at once be obvious that control standards of this type are necessary in order that every contest will beon a uniform basis. Only in this manner can be a national meet properly judge among the Winners of local and sectional contests. Also it is only in this manner that the owners of local and sectional champions can be assured of an equal chance of success at the national meets.

In the kennel club regulations provision is made for several tests involving jumps over barriers or hazards such as the high jump, the bar jump and the broad jump. The high jump, for example, shall be jumped clear and the jump shall be one and one-half times the height of the dog at the withers or three feet, whichever is less. The jump represents a solid barrier variable in height froml2 to 36 inches in 2 inch increments through the adjustable arrangements of boards or panels of varying widths.

T The barjump represents an open barrier in which. a single bar, adjustable for each 2 inches of height from 12 to 36 inches, is supported between uprights and must be cleared by the dog upon direction of the trainer.

The broad jump, as presently contemplated, entails clearance of a plurality of low hurdles, not over 7 inches high, spaced a maximum distance equal to twice the height of the high jump as set for the particular dog.

The individual stanchions, supports, bars, boards, hurdles and the like required for these three jumps makes them quite heavy and bulky. For example following the oflicial construction, the high jump will weigh approximately 70 pounds, the broad jump hurdles about 37 pounds and the bar jump nearly 20 pounds. This equipment requires considerable storage space which is usually unavailable to the ordinary dog handler.

Assuming the equipment is in the possession of the trainer, it can hardly be described as being portable. Movement from location to location is possible although difiicult unless a special carrier and assistants are available. The natural result, therefore, is the employment of make shift and unsatisfactory equipment during the training periods and the dogs are confronted with unfamiliar hazards at the trials and their performances suffer accordingly.

One object of the present invention is the provision in a single, easily portable, piece of equipment of a multiple jump for the obedience training of dogs.

A further object of my invention is to provide a composite apparatus convertible at will into a high jump, a bar jump, or a broad jump.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a multiple jump which complies fully with the standards of the American Kennel Club and the use of which will be sanctioned by it.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention set up as a high jump.

Figures 2 and 3 are fragmentary detail views illustrating the supporting frame elements and their relationship 7 in the assembly.

unitary frame 1, forming the body of the apparatus, is

composed of a base member 2 having end sections 3 of increased thickness to which are secured upright supporting members 4 through suitable means, as for example, hinge elements 5. The supports 4 are shorter in length than the base 2 and may be folded inwardly in superposed relation therewith when the frame is collapsed for storage and/or transporting. The supports 4 when extended at right angles to the base member 2 lie out- .side of said base member and overlap the ends 3 through their lower sections 6. Such engagement precludes outward displacement of the supports 4 beyond the desired spaced parallel relationship thereof.

At each end 3 of the base member 2 and secured to the sides thereof through hinge elements 7 are paired lateral braces 8, the enlarged inner ends of which are provided with opposed fingers h, interlocking and overlying the ends 6 of the upright supports 4 when the braces 8 are extended at right angles to the base 2.- Theselat eral braces 8 may be folded inwardly to lie parallel with the base 2 when the frame is collapsed. Outward movement of the braces 8 is limited by engagement of the fingers 9 with the ends 6 of the upright supports 4.

The lateral braces 8 are composed of two sections 10 and 11 connected by hinges 12 in such manner that the outermost sections or terminal wings 11 may be folded back upon the inner sections 10 into contact with the supports 4 at points remote from the ends thereof to secure said supports against forward or backward movement. Pins 13 are provided in the outer ends of the wings 11 for engagement in suitable openings 14 in the opposed faces of the supports 4.

When the supports 4 are extended at right angles to the base 2, the braces 8 are extended at right angles to both the base 2 and the supports 4 to lock said supports in open position and the wings 11 engaged with the supports 4, the frame 1 is ready for use as either a high jump or a bar jump.

To complete the high jump, as shown in Figure l, a barrier 15 of heavy canvas is spread between the supports 4 substantially closing the area therebetween. For convenience and adjustability, the canvas is carried upon a bar 16, provided at its ends with pins 17 which fit within suitable apertures, as for example slots 1%, arranged at regularly spaced intervals along the lengths of the supports 4. The lower edge of the canvas 15 may be reinforced if desired and provided with suitable means (not shown) whereby it may be secured to the base member 2 of the frame 1.

To complete the bar jump, shown in Figure 4, the

canvas 15 is rolled upon'the bar 16 and covered with a striped casing 19in order that the location of the barrier bar will be clearly markedin accordance with kennel clubregulations:

For the apparatus to function aswa broad jurngdhen 5 lateral braces 8 are. folded. inwardly.,againt the,: base 7 member 2 with-:thewings l1-eirtending parallel thereto. andthe frame is laid on its side. .The lateral-bracesspacel, the base member from theground and provide the reg. quired elevation at thetrailing edgeof the .jump.. The supporting members 4 extend alongithe ground; in a horiz ontal position asshown in :Figure 5 thus. eliminating the' nece'ssity for the auxiliary bracing thereof. The length of the jump is adjusted by the positiomof the canvassupportingbar 16, in:.the slots 1815f the supports 4, the lower edge of the canvas 15 being securedto the, outer edge of the upperpair, of lateralibr aces -8 by suitable means (not shown). It is normally contemplated that thefframfe willbe constructed of clear: wood and the several elements will 7 be hingedly connected for ease in collapsing 'or folding for storage and/or. transportation of the apparatus; The. frame can, however, be composed of light tubular metal sections united by pin joints if desired without departing from thescope of the invention. Similarly various other means for positioning the barrier bar ,upon the supports are contemplated. For example spaced sockets or cup; 1

is well adapted to attain all of the ends and objectives hereinabove set forth andv will encourage the advance training of dogs in obedience. bodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to beunderstood'that all matter herein set forth or shown in the drawings is to be 1 interpreted aspillustrativeand not in a limitingsq wcl As many possible-em; i

What I claim is: a

1. A composite broad, bar and high jump apparatus" of said base member; adjacent: the ends thereof and projecting outwardlytherefrom at right; angles thereto, said 7 brace members being provided with interlocking projections adapted to overlie and, securelhebaseendsof said supports and beingfoldable inwardly to lie along said base member in parallel relation -thereto, terminal wings carried by said brace members and foldable inwardly thereover into engagement with the supports at points removed from the base ends thereof, and a barrier adjusb e- 9 pro he at ot r ia e re s. tdi s lt or'c n n rpo d e e en re t t e 4 1999 file supports of said frame.

2 'A device as defined in clairn- 1 in whichthebarrier extends to the base member and substantially closes the, area between the supports. a r r v 3; A device as de' fined in claim 2, in which t eharrier' is; acanvas panel.

References Citedin the. fileof this, V

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2Q1,328= Chamberlin Mar. 19, 1878 291,246 Wakefield Ian.-1,- 1 884 389,628 Wolerstein Sept. 18,1888;- 512,333 Simmer Ian; 9, 1894- 862,152 German Aug. 6, 1907 7 894,918 Tomlinson Aug 4, 1908 994,753 Kohn June:13,1911 1,662,586 Newman Mar, 13; 1 9285 1,830,282 Lorch NOV. 3, 1931i 2,055,862 Friedman Sept. 29, 193 2,279,539 Vogt et a1. Apr. 14, 1942;- 2,565,905 Belau Aug. 2,8;195'1" FOREIGN PATENTS V 249,851 Switzerland July 31, 194-7 

